Panic button been pressed!

[Lucy_Nottingham]

Hi guys,

Just a post to ask for either some advice or some calming statements please.
Just over this past week it has become more noticable that beau has become a bit more stiff when getting up after long periods of rest. From both hard floor, carpet, or his bed (but rarely off my bed...) It either is just stiffness behind, or one leg (generally his left hind) is slightly lame....

Of course now all my alarm bells are going off going: MY BORDER COLLIE HAS HIP DYSPLASIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! followed by floods of tears (I was a bit tired last night, and so get a bit emotional)
But he is fine on exercise, runs around in true BC style (trying to heard the two springers) can still jump on, over, etc everything, and yet after rest struggles to energetically push himself onto my low bed (its about 30cm off the floor!)
Id have expected hip dys to be after rest and exercise, but now iv thought of that I am struggling to sanely address or think about other differentials.....
Or is it maybe he just gets pins and needles? as after a short rest he is fine, its only after like 30mins+ that the stiffness kicks in, and its worse the longer he is down but never to a hopping lame state just a 3/10 lame maybe at worst.

Anyone please help either for differentials, advice or just calm me down!

P.s. Iv also palpated him hind legs, no abnormalities, and no stiffness when I flex and extend all joints from hips downwards. Even straight after rest........

 

[Digger123]

and breathe......
Could just be his age a touch of arthritis maybe
Perhaps a trip to the vet and a couple of xrays would allay your fears and then you would know if you have anything to worry about

 

[Patches]

He's only just about 18 months old isn't he Lucy?

I think I'd probably pop him along to the vets for a check up. Didn't you used to worry about one his legs when he was a tiny pup too?

 

[MurphysMinder]

I would tell you not to panic but as the worlds worst it would be a bit hypocritical. Evie had 2 bouts of front leg lameness when she was under 12 months old, I was convinced she had elbow dysplasia but she came back with a 0 score. It is easy to imagine the worst, I would imagine it is far more likely he has just tweaked something. Hip dysplasia usually shows as lameness during or after exercise first, rather than stiffness on getting up. As I'm sure you know the only way to diagnose hd is by x ray, don't suppose there is anyone at the university who would x-ray him for you, have you a lecture coming up where he could be a guinea pig

For now, I would just keep him to walking exercise for a few days in case it is something muscular, and if no improvement then a visit to the vet.

 

[WandaMare]

I have border collie cross and he went lame on a foreleg when he was 2. I took him to the vets and they said they thought it was early arthritis and suggested glucosamine supplements ongoing and metcam for a week. Not alot better so after several trips back to vet they took xrays which showed no changes in the joint but they still thought arthritis. Carried on with treatment on and off for 2 years, i spoke to afew experts including the breed society. Anyway, I broke my leg and couldn't walk him properly for 6 months, Mum took him but on lead and much more restricted exercise for quite a long period and now he is absolutely fine. Must have just sprained a ligament or something and it just needed abit of time to heal!!! Try not to worry, they are tough little dogs and their enthusiasm for exercise will cause injurys from time to time, hope hes OK xx

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

He is only 18 months yes.
well this morning walk was restricted to 15mins on the lead, rahter than our normal 15-30 mins in the park avec the spaniels!

I think I might do up to the weekend on the lead as much as possible and see if he improves and if he is still quite stiff I will have a vet trip

Thank you everyone, I feel quite a bit calmer now! I was crying last night like a right ninny!

MurphysM I have just done hip dysplasia in Musculoskeletal 2, and thats why my brain went AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hehe
I am hoping he will be a bit better, he has always been quite steady getting out of bed (but its been a sort of personality thing rather than an ailment thing, he has always been a good understanding dog in that I suck at getting out of bed!

hehe)

Will keep you updated, and if he goes lame again, I may request another lovely calm me down session!

How come I am fine assessing/diagnosing/treating other peoples animals, then when it comes to my own I turn into a panicing blubbering wreck!?